Ex-Fillmore mayor faces new charges in sex-abuse case

Keith Lorraine Gillins, a former mayor of Fillmore and a Millard High School teacher, previously faced two sex-related charges involving a teenage student, but is now facing multiple charges including rape and forcible sexual abuse.

Gillins, 61, was charged June 9 with two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old, which are third-degree felonies. However, the Millard County Attorney's Office has since has had those charges removed and has filed four charges of rape, a first degree felony, against Gillins, according to court documents.

In addition, prosecutors lodged seven charges of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

Court documents show that prosecutors believe the incidents occurred on different occasions between Oct. 5, 2008, and April 9, 2009.

Prosecutors are being very tight-lipped about the case. Millard County deputy attorney Patrick Finlinson said he could not disclose whether these new charges involve a student or if they all relate to the same alleged victim.

"I really can't discuss that at this time," he said. "There is still an investigation ongoing."

Finlinson said more information would emerge at a preliminary hearing for Gillins.

A previously scheduled preliminary hearing that was to be held July 8 was waived at the request of attorneys. Gillins' next court appearance is July 22.

Gillins, who has owned an insurance agency and served on the boards of Zions First National Bank and the Millard County Board of Education, has been instrumental in economic developments in the area. He was named the "Rural Man of the Year" award in 1996. Gillins headed the Six County Economic Development Committee and has been a member of the Millard County Committee.

In 1995, when Gillins was mayor, Fillmore was ranked among the top 10 percent of well-managed Western cities of its kind by the Municipal Analysis Services Inc. of Austin, Texas.

e-mail: lindat@desnews.com